LIFE IS GOOD!
I had a much needed day off that was the same day as spouse!
WOOOOO-HOOOOOO! This tag team parenting thing hasn't exactly helped with the couple bonding! We decided to head into the Angeles National Forest for a bit of hiking. It was a warm sunny day. (Ok, most days are warm sunny days in Southern California) But, THIS was a different warm sunny day! We were together as a family for the first time in weeks!
We get into the forest (should be called shrubland) and discover that we need an Adventure Pass to park. Say what?! We have to go somewhere and buy a pass so we can park in a park our taxpayer money already pays for? Where we have to go to get pass is not mentioned on the signpost. Translation.... Hiking plans shot to pieces!
The gods giveth, the gods taketh away...
New plan enters spousal mind. "Let's go four wheeling!"
Kids are enthralled at the idea of a new adventure. We've not taken them on an offroad experience before. Off we go. We may not be able to park in the Angeles Forest, but no where did it say we needed a pass to drive through the forest! EEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAA! Off we go! The views were inexpressibly beautiful! We got out of the suburban and looked out at the skyline. We were high in the mountains. It was silent except for the occasional call of a bird flying overhead. Sweet silence...
smack...I wipe snow off my shoulder and turn to see a giggling child getting ready to throw another snowball! We haven't seen snow this winter yet. It felt familiar. Comfortable. I'm still marveling at 80 degree weather and snowballs co-existing!
Continuing on our journey, we come upon snow and ice covered paths. There are trees all around this little area. It reminds us of the trail behind our old home in Connecticut. I want to turn around and be safe. Spouse wants to forge ahead and seize the day. Spouse seizes.
CLUNK ! shhhhhhhhhhh. A sharp rock decides to make a home in our tire!!!!!! At least we have a spare!
Spare tire is also flat. Hmmmm.
The gods giveth, the gods taketh away....
At least we have a cell phone! AAA is called but before call is completed we lose service. We are stuck out in the middle of the wilderness. Millions of people surround us, yet we are alone. Visions of Survivor dance in my head.
Still, I am not worried. There was an empty ranger station
a few miles back. I start the hike while spouse remains with the kids laughing to myself.
THANK GOODNESS for the other idiots...(er, I mean adventurers) out four-wheeling that day! They just happened to get stuck in a place we had trouble with a mile down the mountain. THEY were smart enough to have TWO vehicles and five cell phones between them! One vehicle finishes pulling out the smaller one and they drive me down to the ranger station. Phone call made. They drive me back UP the mountain, without getting stuck this time. (phew) One discovers that his spare MAY fit our truck. Actually it did get on the truck but the tire was much smaller. Not looking a good samaritan's offer in the mouth, we accept the loan of said tire.
We follow him to his house where he has the EXACT tire we need for out make/model truck. Fate perhaps? Coincidence? Who am I to question?!
the gods giveth again!(and saved a $500 towing charge!)
Later this evening...I log online to see what new things I can discover in e2. (Who's whispering in my ear?!! Knock it off!!) I discovered somebody chinged me! Sheeeeeeesh! After I got through saying I didn't want to see the little gremlins taunting me from the corner of my screen...(sigh)
OK, I admit it felt good. But I didn't want it to feel good!
I start surfing at random typing in things to see where it takes me, a journey through e2 space this time. No flat tires to get here! I come across noisy sunset. WHAT A TREAT!!! A visual treasure! Woooo-hooooo! I was excited! I jumped into the chatterbox to share with my fellow noders this wondrous discovery! I love the unexpected! One of them says to try this one... punch thyself. I'm sure there are those of you that KNOW what this is. Can you guess what I did?...
the gods giveth, the gods taketh away...
I haven't laughed so much in ages!...LIFE IS GOOD!!!